§ 11. Mr. R. Robinsonasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made with the drafting of legislation to implement the Report of the Copyright Committee; what organisations he is consulting in this connection; and whether he has accepted the recommendation of the Committee that a standing tribunal should be established to decide disputes between collecting organisations controlling performing rights and would-be users of the works controlled.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe recommendations in the Report are being carefully considered, but I have no statement to make at this stage about legislation. No organisations have yet been consulted, but a number have commented on the Report. As my hon. Friend knows, the Copyright Committee did, of course, hear the views of the organisations concerned in the course of their inquiries.
§ Mr. RobinsonWill my right hon. Friend say, then, if he expects to be able to announce any decision this year?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI would rather not tie myself down. It is a very large, complicated Report on an extremely complicated subject.
§ Brigadier MedlicottIs my right hon. Friend aware that the claims of competing organisations in the field of musical copyright especially have been the source of embarrassment and confusion, and that a standing tribunal of the nature suggested would serve a very useful purpose?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI will bear the point in mind.